Making Meaning: As Google Goes, So Goes the Nation

Nunberg, G. (2003). Making meaning: As google goes, so goes the nation. In P. De Palma (Ed.), Computers in society (pp. 85-86). Dubuque, IA: McGraw-Hill.
Unit 4, Article 18

Review by Kim Doyle

In this article Nunberg describes the factors that influence rankings resulting from Internet searches. Google, the largest search engine, estimates its index has more than 16 million pages and conducts 55% of all Internet searches. The author indicates that a high Google ranking has considerable value to commercial sites as well as to ideas and opinions. The primary factors influencing Google rankings are how predominantly the search term figures appear in the pages and the number of links sites have to other pages. When a common word is used for a search, the top ranked sites will be those that are linked to a high number of other sites also containing the search terms. A more specific search will align with the interests of groups that aggregate around certain topics. What this means, as we read in this article, is that the dominant voice or idea will influence the results of a search, even so far as to imply a conspiracy, as a friend of the author once suggested. This leads to the complaints of some that feel the Internet is not a reliable source of information and search engines are not working as they should. The other side of this argument is that search engines are doing exactly what they should by providing an avenue for those with a particular interest or knowledge of a topic to voice it. Nunberg refers to the Internet as "uniquely democratic" (pg. 85). The major sites with the most money and power will be the top ranked and, in the case of a specialized topic, the Internet will appear to favor those that care most about it or have the dominant voice. Nunberg cautions us to be aware of this and reject the assumption that what a Google search produces reflects the consensus of the "Internet community" (pg. 85).

Reaction

I agree with what the author is indicating in this article. I believe many rely strongly on internet searches for information on any topic and it is appropriate to be cautious of what searches produce. It is often radically opinionated or very inaccurate. I use the internet with discretion. I will often check multiple sites and other resources to verify information. As a graduate student I have come to utilize the Internet extensively. While I find it an incredible resource, I also know I must be careful to know that it can't always be trusted to provide valid information.